1. Hire an Experienced Agent
Meet with one of our resourceful agents to preview your home. Your agent will ask questions like how much you owe on your mortgage, any updates that you have completed to the home, the reason you decided to sell etc. All of this will help with the next step pricing your home.
2. Price it Right
The most important part is to price your home right! Your agent will discuss with you the comparable sales and current listings in your area. Those results and your agents’ input will help you decide what price to list your home for. Over pricing can be damaging to the sale. Your home could sit on the market and also appear like there is something wrong with the house since it has been for sale for a long time or buyers get the feeling that you are are willing to take much less for your home.
3. Maintenance
Make any minor repairs or touch ups as suggested by your agent. Now is not the time to start any major repairs to your home. You may be spending money that will not be recovered or needed.
4. Declutter
Storage is something every buyer is looking for Declutter those messy closets, cabinets and any storage spaces. Pack up items you don’t need on a regular basis Storage spaces look much bigger with limited items that are nicely organized. It also a good idea to de-personalize. Take down and pack a way family photos, memorabilia and personal keepsakes
5. Deep Clean
Now that you have finished any minor maintenance tasks and decluttered. It is time to give your home a good cleaning. Be sure to include carpets, light fixtures and windows. Stage your furniture and décor items in your home that best maximize your space.
6. Curb Appeal
No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through your door. Spruce up your home’s exterior by clean off siding, soffits, porches, decks and walkways. If possible, trim the shrubs and plant some flowers or add a hanging basket. It is important to make people feel welcome and safe as they approach the house.
7. Be Flexible to Showings
Once your home is on the market, showings will start coming in. They may not always be at the most convenient time for your schedule. It is important to try and accommodate any showing that is requested. This will help ensure anyone who is interested in your home has an opportunity to view it.
8. Accept an Offer
Here is where that experienced agent is important. Once you have an offer on your home your agent will present and review the offer with you. Your agent will help you make the right choice if this offer is something you want to accept or if you want to negotiate all or part of the offer. Experience in negotiations makes all the difference. Once the offer has been accepted by all parties and contingencies have been met, the home will go to the closing table and you will be ready to move.